Orr Street in Bundaberg East was named for Flight Sergeant Thomas Orr in July 1951, a Bundaberg resident who served with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in World War II.
Under Bundaberg Regional Council’s Streets of Remembrance, Orr Street now displays the RAAF badge in honour of Thomas’ distinguished service and as a lasting reminder of his sacrifice.
Early life
Thomas Allan Orr was born in Rockhampton on 18 June 1921 to Tom and Annie Orr.
The family lived in Bundaberg where Thomas attended Bundaberg East State School, Bundaberg Intermediate School and Bundaberg State High School.
He obtained the Junior Public Certificate, passing examinations in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, woodwork, metalwork, trade drawing, gaining a first-class pass in arithmetic.
Thomas also passed State Scholarship examinations in arithmetic, English and geography, and the Motor Mechanics section of Engineering Trades Apprenticeship Examinations at Bundaberg Tech College.
He served in the 104th Ind. Australian Brigade, Group Workshops, Home Forces and was working as an apprentice motor mechanic at the time of his enlistment in the RAAF on 15 August 1942, aged 21 years old.
His enlistment documentation records he played football and cricket, enjoyed fishing and motor-boating, and had no prior flying experience.
World War II service
Thomas enlisted as an Aircraftman, and was promoted to Leading Aircraftman in 1942, Sergeant in May 1943 and Flight Sergeant in November 1943.
He undertook flight training in in Kingaroy, Cootamundra, Evans Head, and Parkes before being sent to Canada for further training and then the UK in late 1943 as part of the No. 464 Squadron RAAF.
Throughout his postings, Thomas served as Aircrew V, Aircrew V (Observer), Aircrew II (Observer) and Navigator (Bomber).
Thomas was the navigator in a De Havilland Mosquito, which had crew of two, alongside pilot Flying Officer Albert Edwin Crellin from Victoria, when their aircraft was lost over Northern France on 5 August 1944.
An official statement of Thomas’ service sent to his family by Discharged Personnel Records – Air Force had this account:
“Flight Sergeant Orr was in the crew of a Mosquito HX 858 which was detailed to carry out a night intruder operation in the Northern France during the night of 4/5 August 1944. The aircraft took off from 464 Squadron Thorney Island, Ensworth, Hants, England on 0230 on 5 August and nothing more was heard of the aircraft or crew.”
Thomas, aged 23, and Albert were later presumed dead, killed in a flying battle, though their bodies and aircraft were never found.
Flight Sergeant Thomas Orr is commemorated at Runnymede Memorial, UK, with the inscription ‘Son of Tom and Annie Orr, of Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia’.
Thomas is also memorialised on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour and the Bundaberg Civic Centre Memorial Portico.
After his death, he was awarded the 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45 and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, with the medals forwarded to his sister Margaret as his eldest surviving next of kin in 1998.
Information on Flight Sergeant Orr’s life and service is from the National Archives of Australia, Australian War Memorial, Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Virtual War Memorial.
Service Number: 426905
Streets of Remembrance program
Bundaberg Regional Council’s Streets of Remembrance recognises the service of veterans with a connection to the Bundaberg Region by adding the badge of the military force in which they served to the street sign of streets named in their honour.
More information about the Streets of Remembrance program and how to nominate a street or service person is available here.
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